Verla Helen Woods

The LORD is My LIGHT and my SALVATION, whom shall I FEAR, whom shall I be AFRAID”

Psalms 27:1

In today’s world, special designer items are commonly named ‘Signature’.  The names are reflected on the outside and the owners carry or wear them with pride.  The above titled song was Ms. Verla’s signature song.  She sang it as a solo – her life reflected it in her love for her God – the source of her light!!

Verla Helen Powell was born into this “Beautiful World’ May 4, 1923 @4:00 a.m., Colorado Springs, CO, to Arthur Powell and Florence Porter-Powell.  She departed her earthly life December 6, 2015 @ 10:06 a.m.  In 1942, at the age of 19 Ms. Verla and Mr. Alonzo Woods were married.  In May, 1948, they decided to make Portland, OR their home.  Mr. Woods preceded her in death after over 50 years of marriage.

Her first employers were House of Harlow Furniture and Zukor’s Dress Apparel.  Zukor’s was a very exclusive store and, to know Mrs. Woods would know that she wore Signature apparel.  She shortly broke color line and was hired as an Elevator operator at the State Office Building serving there for eleven years.  While the left hand was directing people on/off the elevator, she was using her right hand to further her education in Court Reporting at Portland State University.  She was later employed by Portland School District #1 retiring after 17 years as Secretary and Library Assistant at Jefferson High School.

During her years at Jefferson, she was a mentor and advisor to many young ladies seeking and listening to her wisdom.  Mrs. Woods had one daughter, the late Alonzetta Davis.  But she impacted the lives of many other young ladies (aka daughters), namely: Rosie Lovings, Tracey Wood, Sharon White, Sherra Neal, Desiree Jones and Marcia Wilson.  They have testimonies of how she taught them to conduct themselves as young ladies which became the foundation of their becoming successful older adults, parents and grandparents today.  Many speak of her home on 11 ^th Ave as being a comfort zone where they could come and be loved; be taught grooming and etiquette lessons, English lessons, have tea parties and play in her big doll house and enjoy one of her favorite dishes – spaghetti. They speak of her faith, being stern but with a loving, compassionate heart.

Mrs. Woods lived a very active and productive life.  She sang and was a lead soloist in the Mt. Olivet Chancel choir, directed by Mr. Carl T. Harris.  She was a Life Group member and often attended the Life Group Summit Celebrations (during one of the Celebrations she identified herself as the “Chocolate Cinderella” who never comes out after 6pm).  So typical of something she would say.  She was a member of the ‘Repast’ Ministry; Wednesday Bible Class; a Greeter; member of the Urban League; a Life member of NAACP; Canvasser for the Multiple Sclerosis and Heart Funds and member of Keep Christ in Christmas committee for almost 20 years.  She was a regular visitor at Harvest Homes Nursing Center before her friend, Patricia Ball passed.

Mrs. Woods could have been named the ‘Mint’ lady.  She passed mints out to everyone – Pastoral Staff, other employees and Volunteers in and around the church, Choir, Ushers, Greeters – Everybody was handed a ‘mint’. She kept mints in her pockets most of the time.

In her younger years, Mrs. Woods was a tap dancer. Consequently, her husband gave her the nickname “Boots”.  Her name for him was “Sugar.”  Th ey used these names of affection with each other all the time.  In her 80’s Mrs. Woods begin taking Piano lessons.  Her husband purchased her a beautiful white pearl Baby Grand piano which she cherished dearly and learned to play very well. She went to CA and cared for her daughter many months at a time before her daughter’s passing.  Even while there, she continued to send church bulletins to the sick and shut-ins at Mt. Olivet.  Mrs. Woods loved reading God’s Word, always having a thirst to learn more and improve her education.  One of her favorite TV shows was “Judge Judy.”  Could have been she was reliving her stenographer days – but can’t say for a fact.  Nonetheless, this was her all-time favorite show.  Her other favorite was spending time talking with her very dearest friend, Sis. Lucy Evans.  They regularly called each other in the evenings to talk, encourage one another to watch a particular TV show and pray.

Mrs. Woods not only prepared her soul for its heavenly departure, she planned her earthly departure as well: funeral, burial, order of service and poem to be used.  Preceding her in death – Father and Mother; Husband, Alonzo Woods; Beloved Daughter, Alonzetta D. Woods-Davis; Cousins, Francis Boyd, Linda Scott, Alberta Jackson, Charles Fullilove to name a few.  She is survived by her “daughters,” a host of cousins, in particular, Craig Boyd and Orbie Scott, Portland, OR; Delphine Porter, Iris Johnson, LaValia Eccles (Detroit, MI); Andreea Johnson (GA); Rev. John Corbin (CA); her Mt. Olivet Baptist Church family and many, many friends.

Special appreciation is extended to her dedicated and faithful Care Providers: Gilda Lewis, Pastor Ed Williams, Hazel Hill, Helen Cranford and her Life Group sisters.

Her sayings: “My Life is an Open Book, but I’m Careful who reads it”

“There’s a Destiny that makes us Brothers, None Go This Way Alone”

The LORD was/is truly her LIGHT; She quietly passed away having NO FEAR.